Have you tried sourcing a pulled engine from a wreck?

There is a website that can you can use to search and get prices from any junkyard in your area. I'll see if I can find the site when I get to work.

 

Thanks! My indie is on top of that, but we haven't decided what to do with the car yet. One of the options I'm considering is to auction it off as is - in which case, I don't want him to spend time and effort unnecessarily. I'm going to speak with him tonight and hopefully, will have a decision by Monday. What do you guys think, if Giants win, I'm throwing in the TT V8? How much do I need to bet to win 50k again?

 

Do you think it has anything to do with the all wheel drive system's effect on the motor? I just bought a 2009 528i manual and my thought process regarding reliability is/was the same as yours. I had an E12 with the inline 6 and it was bullet proof. Seriously, I figured I'd be nagged with small issues but my drive train and engine would be solid for a couple hundred at least. Ugh, thanks for the reality check.

 

Just sent you a PM.

I wouldn't consider auctioning the entire car. Any car without a functional motor isn't going to sell for much more than a grand if you are lucky. You would be better off parting out the car, but then you have to deal with storing everything until it sells.

I think your best bet would be to replace the motor and then sell it.

 

What did mechanic tell you about broken engine? What is broken there?
I know (I'm Russian) in Russian community you can get cheaper service (at least in Philly), but you have to watch out for Brooklyn crooks, as you already know that.

Let me know I will ask my guys if cheaper to fix then to replace whole engine.

 

Vlad, I would still take this up with BMW NA as you have a record of the issue in the car's warrantied past. If they couldn't (or wouldn't) find it then, it still seems they are at least PARTIALLY responsible now! Worst case scenario, they say NO, but they MIGHT help out, and you've got nothing to lose by trying! Good Luck my friend!

 

Man, I'm sorry for your troubles! Good luck with what ever choice you make. Hopefully if you do sell it, you won't have to take too much of a hit.

 

damn man, im really sorry to hear that. if misery loves company, my best friend just had their SMG tranny die on them in their 2004 545i....total replacement cost according to the dealer: $7500. so of course they are walking away from the car. i know how much you love you ride man. its a shame that something like that would happen to a fine luxury automobile. good luck on the hunt for a new car....keep us updated on what you end up with next.

 

I don't think it has anything to do with AWD. As a matter of fact, I had some water damage, because a dumbass body shop left a window open during a snow storm, and my transfer case and its module are prctically brand new. Car drove exactly the same before and after the transfer case replacement. Just to clarify, I've never had any issues with the AWD systems, aside from the aforementioned water damage, where moisture shorted out the transfer case module and that in turn blew the center diff (aka transfer case).

Thanks again! I'll look at that company, but that engine is an M54 - older inline 6. My indie has an N52 in stock, so we should be able to work something out. Coincidentally, I think that price was also pretty outrageous - what they told you.

I'll let you know if I need help. For now, I've had two Brooklyn Russians look at it, but the car is with a trusted non-Russian tech. If it's a little more money, I don't mind - as long as the job is done right and they don't overcharge.

I was thinking the same thing. But how can I prove to them that I've mentioned the engine ticking twice to an adviser at BMW of Manhattan? I doubt he left any record of it, since nothing was ever fixed. He just kept telling me "don't worry, it's totally normal"... f***ing asshole!

 

Thank you! Well, it is what it is - I can't really say I'm happy with it, but what can I do?

Yeah man. Saw your thread too btw Bummer!!! Guess these things come in threes huh? Good luck to us all!